APL cuts carbon dioxide emissions

American President Lines (APL) cut CO2 emissions by roughly 5% in 2017 compared to 2016, making it the eight consecutive year the carrier has achieved a reduction.

APL also registered fuel savings of almost 5%, and the carrier attributed both achievements to operational efficiencies, fleet and voyage optimisation, and the deployment of a fuel-efficient fleet of vessels.

Dennis Yee, APL’s global head for safety, security and environment, said: “APL’s concerted efforts to improve our environmental efficiency year after year underscore our commitment to a greener and more sustainable maritime industry.”

The company uses its 2009 CO2 emissions per transported container per kilometre as a base level, and in 2017 APL registered a 50.7% reduction on this figure. In 2016 the carrier registered a 48% reduction compared to the 2009 level.

To improve fleet performance APL has modified ship bows and retrofitted propellers to vessels to minimise wave resistance and improve propulsion efficiency. Route optimisation systems have also been installed onboard its vessels.

The carrier aims to reduce CO2 levels by 30% between 2015 and 2025, a target set by its parent group, CMA CGM.

APL will use low-sulphur compliant fuel in preparation for the sulphur cap which comes into effect in 2020, while some vessels will be fitted with scrubbers to clean emissions before releasing them into the atmosphere.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) will also be sued as a fuel source, with nine new LNG vessels ordered for 2020.